Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time

Gary David Goldberg

Creator/ Director / Producer

"I didn't have meanness in the comedy. The times that I tried to be darker or meaner or hipper didn't work. It just wasn't where I came from, and sometimes the writers would say 'boss, nobody says I love you. You can't say that anymore.' I go, 'well, we're going to say it.'"

About This Interview

In his four-hour Archive interview, creator/producer Gary David Goldberg (1944-2013) reminisces about his early years, growing up in a close family in Brooklyn (which later was the basis for his Brooklyn Bridge series), and recalls his early adult years traveling the world. He recounts becoming interested in writing and taking a class, where his professor, Nate Monaster noticed his talent and pointed him towards television writing. He discusses his early writing assignments on The Bob Newhart Show and other MTM shows, including The Tony Randall Show and Lou Grant, where he worked as a producer. He describes the formation of his company Ubu Productions, and details the process of creating Family Ties, including the casting of Michael J. Fox, the basis of the characters and the topics covered in key episodes. Goldberg talks about his subsequent series, Brooklyn Bridge, a labor of love based on his early life. He then speaks about the other series for which he is well known, Spin City. He outlines how the idea for the show came about, discusses working with Michael J. Fox (who now was a co-executive producer) and shares how production dealt with Fox's battle with Parkinson disease. Karen Herman conducted the interview in Brentwood, CA on January 30, 2007.